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Celebrating a new habitat
Vazquez family moves into their new home built by local Habitat chapter
Tammara Green/Post-Register
Rosario and Antonio Vazquez open a house-warming gift during the open house on Sunday, Jan. 8 for their home, which was built by the Upper Columbia Basin chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
All in attendance at the new Habitat for Humanity open house on Sunday, Jan. 8 stood in silent reverence as Pastor Tom DeDoes blessed the new home of Antonio and Rosario Vazquez. DeDoes quoted from Proverbs 24: 3-4 which says, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
The home, located at 34 D St. NW, came as a much-needed blessing for the couple and their two children, Emilio and Johann.
The father, Antonio, has worked in the area as a landscaper for the past 12 years. At the time he applied to purchase the home from Habitat for Humanity, his family of four was living in a small apartment. The apartment, which was about 700 square feet, had one room, and the boys slept in a bunk bed. “In February we got the call that we got the house,” said Vazquez.
The project of building the home started with the groundbreaking this past June, and Antonio, along with members of his family and a volunteer crew of 12, completed it on Dec. 28.
As is customary, Habitat for Humanity requires a minimum of 500 hours of sweat equity from its chosen recipients. Vazquez put in over 800 hours helping to build his home. He isn’t sure what he is going to do with the yard, which hasn’t been planted yet, but he promises it will be amazing.
“I want to thank every one of you guys for being here. If it wasn’t for all of you, we wouldn’t be here,” said Vazquez. His wife, Rosario, echoed his sentiments.
Antonio’s two sons, Emilio and Johann, are most excited about having their own room, even though it was an adjustment at first.
The first night the family spent in the house, the boys shared a room instead. With the two children and another baby girl on the way, the new home will offer the family much needed elbow room.
The new home comes with all of the amenities the family needs, including three bedrooms and a laundry closet with a new washer and dryer. The family room and kitchen are open to each other, which allows for more space and freedom of movement. The house is also thoroughly insulated in order to help the family keep the heating and cooling bills down.
“We estimate that the family was paying nearly $170 a month on their heating bill in their old home, since it was so poorly insulated,” said Habitat board president John Cedergreen.
Habitat for Humanity’s selection committee picked this deserving family for this project, but keep in mind that they had to apply to be chosen. If interested, please go to habitat.org to find out how you can help others build decent, affordable housing, or look for housing yourself.
“This is the first house we have built in five years. Our dream is to start a new home in Soap Lake sometime in April or May. After that we will be building on two properties in George,” said Cedergreen.
Supporting the local Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store is also another way of helping families get the housing assistance they so desperately need. Quincy Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store is located at 223 2nd Ave. SE. You can reach them if you have a question via e-mail at habitat@genext.net or by phone at 787-2144. They accept certain donations and are always looking for volunteers to help build or work in the store. The store is now open Wednesday through Saturday and opens at 10 a.m.
